Premature greying of hair and what it means for your health

Hate to break it to you, but someday, you’re going to start sprouting white hairs (that is, if you haven’t already). Most people spot their first silvery strands in their 30s, but when exactly you go grey boils down to your ethnicity—Caucasians tend to do so earlier than African Americans, for example—and your family history.

If you’re already seeing white hairs in your 20s, that’s not too unusual—especially if your mom or dad reached silver-fox status early, as well. However, if your locks start to lose pigment earlier than others in your family, there may be some environmental and lifestyle factors at play. We spoke with Marie Jhin, MD, a board certified dermatologist and director of Premier Dermatology in San Francisco, to explore the surprising reasons you could be going grey in your 20s.

You’re super stressed

Experts have debated the connection between stress and grey hair, but some research does show a link. A 2013 New York University study published in Nature Medicine, for example, found stress can cause the depletion of stem cells from the base of hair follicles in mice.

There isn’t tons of research to back up the theory that stress impacts hair, but there’s plenty of anecdotal evidence, says Dr Jhin.

You have a medical condition

In rare cases, premature greying may be triggered by health issues like thyroid disease or problems with the pituitary glands. Autoimmune diseases that attack the skin and hair, such as alopecia or vitiligo, can also cause greys. “Autoimmune means your own cells are attacking your body,” says Dr Jihn. “So if your body is attacking your hair cells, you can go grey as a result.”

You’re vitamin deficient

Another possibility for your silvery strands is a vitamin B12 deficiency, says Dr Jhin. There are a number of factors that put you at greater risk, like being a vegetarian or vegan, taking birth control pills or having GI issues. But if your early greys are linked to B12, it’s most likely due to pernicious anemia, a decrease in red blood cells caused when intestines can’t absorb enough vitamin B12.

You’re a smoker

“Smoking is of the worst things you can do for your skin and hair,” says Dr Jihn. In fact, research has shown an association between cigarette smoking and the onset of grey hair before age 30. “If you look at smokers, you can see the wrinkles in their skin,” she says. “You may not be able to see wrinkles on the scalp, but it’s still affecting all the follicles.”

All that said, Dr Jihn still emphasizes that all of these factors have much less of an impact on your hair colour than your genes. “But if you notice you’re getting premature greying and it doesn’t run in your family,” says Dr John, “then you should see your doctor to check if your thyroid is okay, your vitamin levels are fine, and that you don’t have anemia.”